Bad trailer brake

[Daryles]

Many things on my checklist getting the rig ready for the season. Already de-winterized and sanitized the FW system. Discovered a leak in the HW tank. I think is coming out of the anode rod fitting. Tomorrow I'll remove it, run a tap through it (half way), clean it, wrap the anode rod with a LOT more tape, put it back in and leak check it again.
I raised the rig up on the jacks and tested the brakes, controller, and brake away switch. Everything worked fine except for the right rear tire. The brake didn't work at all. I checked the voltage at the splice by sticking a needle through the wire. Nothing.
I cut the splice off and checked again. 9.8vdc. I checked the resistance of the magnetic coil. 0 Ohms. It should read between 3-4 Ohms.
Pulled the wheel hub and saw the problem.
The wires had rubbed against the hub and worn through. I wondered how that had happened. Apparently they were missing three wire clips that hold it to the actuator arm. I compared it to a new spare (left hand) brake that did have the wire clips.
I spliced the wires back together and secured them from chaffing again. Cleaned and greased the bearings and reassembled everything. Tested it. Everything works fine 🙂

[Lee-CI]

Great job troubleshooting your issue Daryles. Old saying goes that an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. In your case, proper PMs may well have alleviated a rather nasty situation at some point on down the road. Happy camping this year and safe travels

[Montana Man]

Good catch.

[ChuckS]

Nice catch before it became a bigger issue.. My annual spring prep items when getting ready for the first trip also include checking the brakes.. I do like you and use my hyd level up system and lift one side at a time..

I then pull the emergency breakaway switch and try to rotate the two tires in the air and repeat on the other side..

Since I only towed about 1K miles last year I was not pulling the hubs and repacking bearings and checking the brake hardware.

I also use an inexpensive clamp on amp meter and use it on each brake wire on the backside of the backing plate and measure the amp draw of each magnet while doing the spin test..